How to Hang Heavy Weight Medallions to Home Exteriors

Medallions can add style and visual interest to an exterior wall. But before you start to drill into your wall, think carefully about not just the medallion's final position, but also the type of siding you have and whether you can drill into a stud, or need wall anchors. Hanging a heavy object like a medallion takes planning, but as long as you do your homework, understand the materials you're working with, and have a couple of people on hand to help you lift, position and place the medallion, this job shouldn't take you more than an hour or so.

Know Your Siding

You need to understand the type of siding on your house before you begin drilling into it. Drilling into vinyl or aluminum siding may cause the warranty on the siding to be voided, so check with your siding installer before proceeding. This might be the case with new wood siding as well. Stucco presents its own set of concerns. If your home is sided by the newer EIFS stucco, you need to contact the manufacturer and get written instructions or you may void the warranty. Drilling into traditional stucco, brick or masonry requires a masonry bit. Be aware that in many homes, there's insulation under the siding. Either drill into a stud, or drill deep enough into the wall so a wall anchor can grip solidly against the interior wall. Find where plumbing and conduit for wires are located to avoid them. Finally, be sure to caulk around any holes you drill into the exterior of your home.

Weigh the Medallion

Verify the weight of the medallion before hanging it from the wall of your house. The easiest method is to weigh yourself first, then weigh yourself holding the medallion. If it is too big for this, try setting it on the scale while you and a partner gently balance it. While this method is not 100 percent accurate, it gives you a close enough approximation of what the medallion weighs.

Wall Anchors and Earthquake Putty

If you're drilling into studs, you can use 3- to 4-inch wood screws, depending on the depth of the siding and insulation, and the medallion's weight. If you're not drilling into studs, you need enough wall anchors rated to hold the weight of the medallion. Wall anchors come with guides on how much weight they can hold. You also need earthquake putty to give extra support during a tremor. For wall anchors, use a drill bit that's the same diameter as the anchor you buy. If you're drilling into brick or masonry, get a masonry bit.

Positioning the Medallion

Ask two helpers to position the medallion. Have them move it around until you're happy with the position. Mark the outside corners of the medallion with masking tape. You may need to stand on a ladder or step ladder to do this. You're going to be drilling into the side of your house, so make sure you're happy with the medallion's position.

Mark the Anchor Holes

Be as precise as possible when marking the holes for the wall anchors. Think of the old saying "measure twice, cut once" that's used in carpentry. In this case, it's "measure twice, drill once." If there's a hanging wire across the back of the medallion, tighten the wire with your fingertips in such a way that it approximates how it will hang from the wall. Anchors should catch the wire about one-third of the way in from the edge of the medallion. Measure the distance from the taught wire to the side and top edges of the medallion. If you're hanging it from eyelets or hooks already on the back of the medallion, measure the distance from those to the edge and top of the medallion. Transfer these measurements to the wall of the house, using the masking tape you put up in Step 3 as your reference point for the top and sides of the medallion. Use a carpenter's level to make sure the marks are level.

Drill the Holes

If you drill into studs, drill a pilot hole smaller than the diameter of the screw, then allow the screw to stick out about 1/8 to 1/4 inch, giving the medallion a lip on which to hang. If you're using wall anchors, drill the holes for the anchors, then gently tap the anchors into the holes using a rubber mallet. Screw closed hooks into the anchors if you are hanging the medallion by a wire. Screw anchor bolts into the anchors if you are hanging it by eyelets or hooks already on the back of the medallion. In either case, apply earthquake putty to the crook of the hooks or on the anchor bolts.

Hang the Medallion

Lift the medallion into place, calling on your helpers again. The assistants need to watch the back of the medallion to ensure it catches the hooks or anchor bolts without scratching the finish on the wall of the house. You can stand on a ladder or step ladder to help guide it onto the hooks or anchors as well. Ensure the medallion is level using a carpenter's level, and by standing back and observing the newly hung medallion.

About the Author

Matt Smolsky has been writing for more than 25 years. He wrote news, sports and feature stories for the "Omaha World-Herald" and other publications and has continued on in direct marketing and general advertising. He now writes for the web as well. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in history and journalism from the University of Nebraska-Omaha.